Princess Cruises announces it will suspend cruises for 60 days amid questions about its handling of coronavirus outbreaks at sea.
Faced with outbreaks of coronavirus on two of its ships and increasing government pressure, Princess Cruises announced Thursday that it will suspend all operations for its vacation voyages for 60 days.
The news comes as federal and California authorities undertake a massive operation to remove 3,500 passengers from the Grand Princess, a massive cruise ship stricken by the virus, and move them to quarantine sites largely on military bases. The vessel is currently docked at the commercial Port of Oakland in an operation that has been ongoing since Monday.
Princess came under intense criticism for its handling of another severe coronavirus outbreak earlier this year on a different ship, the Diamond Princess. Hundreds of people eventually tested positive for the virus in that outbreak off the coast of Japan. Calling it a “proactive response to the unpredictable circumstances evolving from the global spread of COVID-19,” the company said in a statement that its 18 cruise ships would cease sailing immediately. It hopes to resume operations in May.While not unexpected, the company’s announcement adds to the economic damage wrought by the coronavirus on various businesses, especially the travel industry.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has also advised people, especially the elderly, to stop cruising. He has also indicated that he was investigating what powers the state could invoke to prevent cruise ships from docking in California during the outbreak.
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